WALSALL boss Richard Money today backed the Saddlers' supporters to inspire his team against Barnet tomorrow, declaring: "We need them more than ever.''

WALSALL boss Richard Money today backed the Saddlers' supporters to inspire his team against Barnet tomorrow, declaring: "We need them more than ever.''

Money's withering attack on a small minority of Walsall fans for their "negativity" last week drew a response from the vocal majority against Lincoln in their last home game and he is hoping for more of the same.

Walsall are off the top of the League Two table for the first time since early November following three successive defeats, but Money believes being part of the chasing pack might not necessarily be a bad thing.

"We've enjoyed being top and I'm not happy we've been knocked off, but just maybe the level of expectation will simmer down to a reasonable level," he said.

"Maybe sitting below the leaders for a spell won't do us any harm.

"And sometimes in adversity things turn the other way - the players know they've got to show some real bottle now.

"I'm also very confident the fans will come to Bescot tomorrow and get right behind the team.

"We've done well all season and things have gone along nicely. It's when you hit a sticky patch that you really test the determination and loyalty of everyone.

"I've always said it was only talking about a small minority in terms of the negativity and from the letters and cards I've had this week I think the vast majority will be very supportive.

"And they know that we really need them right now."

Money, who expects a tough test against a Barnet side who beat high-flying Swindon in midweek, has also turned schoolteacher in his targets for the sort of finish which will bring the Holy Grail of promotion.

"We're into the last quarter of the season now," he explained.

"For the first two quarters we were A-plus, the third was a C-minus or even a D, and for the fourth we maybe need a B or a B-plus.

"Tomorrow is the first of six home games we've got left and we've really got to make them count."

Loan signing Kevin Harper is likely to go straight into the starting line-up while Money is still working on other deals which, if they don't come to fruition today, he will follow up next week.